Norfolk, Va. – Norfolk State (8-7, 4-0 MEAC) will play on its home court for the first time in nearly two weeks when the Spartans host Delaware State (0-12, 0-3) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The game will be streamed at NSUSpartans.com/Watch, and broadcast on 91.1 FM.

The two teams did not meet last year during the shortened COVID-19 season.

Last Time Out
The Spartans emerged on top in a battle of the MEAC's two undefeated teams in conference play, beating South Carolina State 60-40. Trailing by one at the half, NSU outscored the Lady Bulldogs 38-17 in the final two quarters.

Deja Francis paced the Spartans all over the stat sheet. Her 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, five steals, and one block earned her MEAC Co-Player of the Week honors. Francis shot 7-of-13 from the field and 7-of-8 at the free throw line.

Janay Turner's career day gave NSU the lift it needed off the bench. She scored 14 points, 11 coming in the second half, off four 3-pointers and two free throws. With the Spartans trailing 27-26 in the third quarter, Turner knocked down three 3-pointers in a span of one minute and five seconds to put NSU up 35-27.

Scouting Delaware State
 The Hornets remain winless on the year after dropping a tight one to Coppin State on Wednesday. DSU is led by Janasia Law, averaging 10.8 points per game. Zoe Holmes provides a strong inside presence, grabbing 9.0 rebounds per game and shooting 48.9 percent from the field.

A Balanced Series
Norfolk State and Delaware State have split the all-time series 24-24, with the Spartans having the edge in recent years. NSU has won the last two meetings, and six of the last seven.

The programs last squared off on Mar. 2, 2020, when a strong second half propelled NSU to a 68-57 win. Chanette Hicks led the Spartans with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, adding three blocks and two steals on the defensive end.

NSU vs. DSU Tip-Ins

• Francis, who hit the 20-point mark for the third straight game on Saturday, has put up a league-best 22.3 points per game in conference play so far. Her 32-point outing against Coppin State on Jan. 22 is the most a MEAC player has scored in a game this season.
• Niya Fields has facilitated the Spartans offense with 2.9 assists per game.  She ranks fourth in the conference in that category, and first in assist to turnover ratio (1.4).
• Mahoganie Williams, standing at 6-1, has thwarted opponents at the rim all season. Her 2.7 blocks per game leads the MEAC by a wide margin, with South Carolina State's Briauna Thompson next in line at 1.6.
• With Williams locking down the paint, Camille Downs has controlled the passing lanes. She's averaging a MEAC-best 2.9 steals per game, including a 10-steal game against Morgan State last week.S
• NSU has buried opponents from deep, shooting a conference-best 28.4 percent behind the arc. The Spartans have also converted from the stripe, leading the MEAC in free throw percentage (70.1 %).
• NSU was picked to finish third in the MEAC preseason poll. Delaware State was projected seventh.